Samsung may have built a new factory just for folding iPhone displays

AppleInsider

In another sign that the iPhone Fold may be coming relatively soon, Samsung Display has reportedly begun construction of a production line dedicated to making its screens.

Render of a possible iPhone Fold - Source AppleInsider

While the iPhone fold has been said to be about to launch for years, most recently strong rumors have said that it is finally in prototype testing. Those rumors point to mass production in 2026, and now Samsung Display's work appears to back that up.

According to ET News, Samsung Display is building a new production line at its A3 factory in Asan, Chungcheongnam-do, about 55 miles from Seoul. Work reportedly began in the second half of 2024, but is now nearing completion.

The report amalgamates quotes from who it describes as several industry officials. Specifically regarding manufacturing of the iPhone fold screen, they are claimed to have said that, "I know that Samsung Display has signed an exclusive contract with Apple."

This fits with previous reports. Some of those further claim that the company will produce Apple-designed screens that will not suffer the same creasing problems as other folding displays, including those by Samsung.

It's expected that the production line will be able to produce 1.25 million 7-inch foldable OLED displays per month, for a total of 15 million per year. The new report claims that Apple is expected to produce between 6 million and 8 million of the iPhone fold in 2026, but there's no clear basis for that estimate.

Note that ET News does not have the strongest track record as it pertains to Apple's plans. It does better when reporting on Apple's supply chain.

Most recently, its sources claimed that the 20th anniversary iPhone will get advanced screen and battery technology.

Rumor Score: Possible

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charlesn

One need only look at Android world--where novel form factors are far more effective in driving sales than iPhone--to see the bleak future of a folding phone for Apple. Six years after Samsung first released it's Galaxy Fold, and two years after the Pixel Fold debuted, expensive folding phones continue to just nibble at the margins of overall sales. Another bad omen for Apple: Samsung's Galaxy Edge, a near dupe for the upcoming iPhone Air, except it retained a better, 2-lens camera system--has been a complete flop in sales. 

bloggerblog

I guess I’ll have to wait another year before upgrading 

applezulu

I still think we're more likely talking about a folding iPad, not an iPhone. 

nobber

But but but ... why not in the US?  I mean that's what The Best Tariffs Ever were supposed to do!!!1!?!?

xed

AppleZulu said:

I still think we're more likely talking about a folding iPad, not an iPhone. 

I'm with you. Every rumor site says it's a folding iPhone but I haven't seen neither a folding display that holds up well nor a reasonably sized market that is wanting a folding smartphone with Android or iOS.

danox

Xed said:

AppleZulu said:

I still think we're more likely talking about a folding iPad, not an iPhone. 

I'm with you. Every rumor site says it's a folding iPhone but I haven't seen neither a folding display that holds up well nor a reasonably sized market that is wanting a folding smartphone with Android or iOS.

Look at the 5K monitors that have been offered for sale in the PC world. Apple can sell a 5K monitor at a higher price which has been curated/specified with better materials in its construction across the board top to bottom, Samsung and LG cannot sell a 5K monitor in the $1200-$1500 range in the PC market. 

A Apple curated folding display will be made of better materials and will cost more, to the consternation of many tech pundits who will bellyache about the price from day one, and everything that they have been silent about relatively speaking up until this point they will criticize everything on a Apple folding phone particularly the crease.

It’s going to be fun. Also note the folding phone will be a niche (pricey) product and it will not be mainstream, which will also lead to a lot of crying from privileged people.

edited July 11